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Origami: Paper Butterfly

The classic origami butterfly from one square sheet. It teaches the waterbomb base, a collapse fold used in many traditional models. Follow the pictures: dashed lines show where to fold, dash-dot lines show mountain folds, and blue arrows show which way. You can check the symbol key if you are new to push arrows. No scissors or glue needed.

LevelMediumTime10 minutesPaper1 square sheet (origami paper or colored paper works best)Steps7
  • Valley fold (fold toward you)
  • Mountain fold (fold behind)
  • Fold in front
  • Fold behind
  • Fold to this spot

What do these symbols mean?

  1. Step 1: Crease both diagonalscolored side up
    Step 1.

    Crease both diagonals

    Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side facing up. Fold the bottom-left corner up to the top-right corner to make a triangle, press the crease flat, and unfold. Repeat with the other two corners to make an X crease.

  2. Step 2: Turn over and crease both midlineswhite side up — fold midlines
    Step 2.

    Turn over and crease both midlines

    Turn the paper over so the white side faces up. Fold the bottom edge up to the top edge, press flat, and unfold. Then fold the left edge over to the right edge and unfold. You now have an X crease and a cross crease.

  3. Step 3: Collapse into the waterbomb basepush sides in to collapse
    Step 3.

    Collapse into the waterbomb base

    Gently push the left and right center edges inward along the mountain creases. The top and bottom will collapse together into a layered triangle with its point facing down. Press all edges flat.

  4. Step 4: Fold the front corners down to the pointfold front corners down to point
    Step 4.

    Fold the front corners down to the point

    Take the front layer of the top-left corner and fold it down so its tip touches the bottom point. Do the same with the front layer of the right corner. These two folded flaps form a diamond on the front of the triangle.

  5. Step 5: Turn the model overturn over
    Step 5.

    Turn the model over

    Turn the paper over to the back. You see a smooth triangle pointing down, with the folded flaps hidden underneath.

  6. Step 6: Fold the bottom point up past the top edgefold point up past the top edge
    Step 6.

    Fold the bottom point up past the top edge

    Fold the bottom point all the way up so its tip extends slightly past the top horizontal edge. As you pull the point up, the layers on the sides flatten out to form the butterfly’s upper and lower wings.

  7. Step 7: Fold the tip down to lock, and pinch the bodylock tip down & pinch center spine
    Step 7.

    Fold the tip down to lock, and pinch the body

    Fold the small triangular tip that extends past the top edge down over the horizontal edge to lock the wings in place. Then fold the butterfly in half down the center spine and pinch firmly so the wings lift open.

Finished paper butterfly

You made a paper butterfly! 🎉

Pinch the central spine firmly between your fingers to make the wings lift and open wide. You can fold several butterflies in bright spring colors to decorate a room or card.

Next, try the Paper Crane or see all origami guides.

More Origami Guides

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A simple, printable step-by-step guide to folding a classic paper hat you can wear.

Dog Face

A simple, printable step-by-step guide to folding an easy origami dog face with floppy ears.

Cat Face

A simple, printable 7-step guide to folding an easy origami cat face with pointy ears, then drawing on the face.

See all origami guides →

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